The Persona Series was begun in October 2000 using a lithography
press at O'Brien Graphics in Aspen, Colorado. An image is
drawn directly onto a thin metal plate using litho inks
that have been reduced with solvents to have paint-like
viscosity. Flat areas of rich color are achieved by rolling
stiff inks onto the plate. Various tools are used: paintbrushes,
large rollers, brayers, pencils or other soft implements
to draw or carve into the ink layer. The plate
is then positioned onto a lithography press and a sheet
of paper is carefully laid on top of the plate. The image
is transferred from the plate onto the paper under great
pressure. When it is peeled off the plate, the paper has
absorbed a mirror image of the original drawing. There is
always a moment of surprise to see the work presented as
opposite to the way it was created. Subsequent layers of
ink in varying transparencies can be applied to the plate
and printed again over the initial image yielding depth
of color, transparency and creating new areas of color furthering
the element of surprise. Because printmaking techniques
are used, these images are often called monotypes
or monoprints meaning one-of-a-kind print. The
layers of ink on paper provide a sensuous surface for soft
pastels, oil pastels, pencil and even paintall are
used to complete the final drawing.

The original one-of-a-kind drawings are approximately 16
x 16 centered on 22 square Arches 100% cotton
paper. The edge of the image area is slightly embossed into
the paper and the OBrien Studio stamp appears on the
back, certifying it as an original.

Each original drawing has been digitally photographed and
printed at actual size as an archival quality reproduction
on Somerset Velvet (100% cotton) at Alternative Ink in San
Antonio, Texas. Each is signed and numbered by the artist
in limited editions of 200.

Each Giclée is also available at 50% size: image
at approximately 8 square centered on 10.5 x
10.5 paper. The small format prints are not numbered.